
Future ADHD
Future ADHD is a podcast hosted by Grace Koelma, Founder & Educator at futureadhd.com, and creator of the Future ADHD Planner, with 50,000+ downloads and recommended by psychologists, therapists and coaches. Future ADHD exists to serve neurodivergents who have a deep sense that — while they struggle with self regulation and executive functioning on a daily basis — they’re not flawed or disordered, but rather living in a fast-paced world that wasn’t designed for their brain.
Being diagnosed with combined type ADHD at 33 helped make sense of my entire life — and while I wholeheartedly support an empowered and strength-based approach to ADHD, I also hold space and honour the daily complexity and difficulty of being neurodivergent in a world that isn’t designed for us.
Over decades, we have accumulated layered self-beliefs and negative messages that plague us — after a lifetime of feeling misunderstood and simultaneously too much, and not enough.
But what if our daydreaming, impulsivity, and fierce obsessions all make complete sense... What if we’re not flawed or disordered, but rather living in a fast-paced world that wasn’t designed for our brilliant ADHD brains?
If this resonates for you, and you want to join a community of brilliant, like-minded people, and learn more about your neurodivergent mind, then come along.
Join me for a new episode or interview each week, as I explore methods backed by science, including polyvagal theory & nervous system nourishment, breathwork and self care, planning & organisation, neural plasticity & unconscious programming, mindset and self-perception, and habit forming. I’ll also chat to a range of neurodivergent guests, so we can challenge the status quo, change the conversation and shape the future of ADHD together.
Come check out my science-based planners and other resources at > futureadhd.com.
Latest episodes

Apr 25, 2024 • 40sec
Episode 3 of Your ADHD Besties is OUT NOW!
Ep 3 of 'Your ADHD Besties' is now live, but we won't be sharing any more eps here. If you want to keep listening, type 'Your ADHD Besties' into your fave podcast app and hit ❤️ subscribe to hear all future eps!
Direct links to 'Your ADHD Besties':
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts
🍀 Listen on Spotify
🪩 All other apps
Instagram: @adhdbestiespodcast
We'll see you there! ❤️🔥
Tara & Grace xx

Apr 19, 2024 • 52min
What do you mean "NO top sheet???"
Topics include struggles with ADHD traits, coping mechanisms for Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, the debate on top sheets, and the annoyance of clicking pens. They also discuss the importance of self-compassion, navigating online platforms while managing ADHD, and the challenges of being misunderstood with ADHD traits.

Apr 18, 2024 • 49min
Your chaos is adorable 🐣
Last week we announced a 🪩 BRAND NEW ERA 🪩 of the Future ADHD podcast, and today we're finally ready to share all the deets. We're launching a brand new podcast called Your ADHD Besties. 👯🫶
Keep listening to hear Ep 1 of the Your ADHD Besties podcast, or go to our website adhdbesties.com to do a deep dive 👀
Hey ADHD besties! 🫠
On today's show;
• We hack ADHD sleep & eating with our recommendations
• Answer a dilemma about a tricky living situation and why the ADHD ability to quickly get out of a bad mood makes us superior housemates
• Our second dilemma is juicy AF, we look at ADHD perfectionism, imposter syndrome and rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) in our jobs (and why selling boudoir photography to your uncle Jeff is never a good idea.)
• Ireggy Seggy: Most importantly, in our ireggy seggy we discuss the horrors of ADHD sensory overload and why the wrinkly blueberry is a worst case scenario, especially if you're wearing wet jeans.
We love you and your superior brains that don't work very well
- 👩🏻🦱 Tara & 👱🏻♀️ Grace x
❗️ HURRY UP and submit a Divergent Dilemma babe: https://adhdbesties.com/dilemmas/
Join us on socials (so it's not just our mums commenting 👵🏼👵🏼):
🌈 IG @adhdbestiespodcast
🌈 TikTok @adhdbestiespodcast
Please RATE and SUBSCRIBE but DO NOT leave us an eggplant emoji 🍆 as a podcast REVIEW - that would make us too happy.
Cute supportive stuff: Thanks to our episode sponsor Future ADHD; finally a planner that doesn't hurt your ADHD brain. 😇

Apr 11, 2024 • 4min
Something BIG is coming!! 👀🤫
Helloooo friends - It's been a hot minute and I'm back to update you on where I've been and what's in store for this podcast... including a very special new co-host. 👯♂️
Listen to find out more... and tune in next Thursday for the new era of the Future ADHD podcast!
futureadhd.com

12 snips
Aug 2, 2023 • 42min
ADHD and the fear of being interrupted: how hyperfocus feels in our body
Exploring the physiological experience of hyperfocus in the body and the fear of being interrupted in ADHD. Comparisons are made between hyperfocus and a 747 jet taking a long-haul flight, emphasizing the importance and necessity of hyperfocus. The impact of interruptions on flow state and the need for long periods of time to complete tasks are also discussed.

7 snips
Jul 6, 2023 • 40min
Re-thinking hyperfocus: ADHD hyperfixations are essential for brain nourishment & wellbeing
Is hyperfocus just an annoying, ill-timed and inconvenient ADHD trait, like some researchers suggest? Or is it actually a fundamental and incredibly necessary method of brain functioning that actually FEEDS our brains and helps stimulate and nourish them?
In today's episode I talk about how I've re-framed hyperfocus and why I think it's incredibly important that ADHDers have a trail of abandoned hyperfixations in their wake. I share some of the random hyperfixations I've been focused on for periods of time (that I thought were complete wastes of time), and how those have ended up creating a patchwork of skills that launched my career.
I also talk about the quality and intensity of ADHD attention, and why that's so unique and a skill that's highly sought after, and needed in our world. I hope you enjoy this episode!
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This podcast is edited and mastered by Sam from Shred Session Studios
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Join 30+K neurodivergents who use our evidence-based ADHD Planners: https://futureadhd.com/
Follow on IG - @future.adhd
Follow on TikTok - future.adhd

May 22, 2023 • 36min
The BIG problem with the ADHD label (that no one’s talking about)
Today on the podcast, I'm sharing something deep from my heart, something I've been wanting to say for a long time. I'm sharing what I *really* think of the ADHD label, and why it's crucial we define ourselves by what we are, instead of what we're not.
When I re-defined the ADHD label and re-claimed my identity in terms of who I am, instead of in terms of my deficits, it was absolutely life changing.
In this episode, I also cover:
A part of my diagnosis story and my emotions around that
Living life as a teenager and 20-something without knowing my neurotype
Why life was so hard when I kept trying to force myself to be "neurotypical"
Feeling like I’d missed the guidebook on how to be “normal”
What’s at stake when we only focus on our deficits
What it looks like to celebrate, honour and trust my neurodivergent brain and being able to do the same for other ADHDers in my life, and what a gift that has been
This episode is the first in a mini-series all about what's actually happening inside our ADHD brains, so make sure you tune in to hear the rest of the series across the next few weeks.
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Join 30+K neurodivergents who use our evidence-based ADHD Planners: https://futureadhd.com/
Follow on IG - @future.adhd
Follow on TikTok - future.adhd

May 15, 2023 • 38min
Trailblazing a community-led National Inquiry into ADHD with Senator Jordon Steele-John & Joana Partyka
Today on the podcast I'm speaking with a politician, but definitely not your average politician. Jordon Steele-John is the second youngest Senator in Australia, and shares the incredible story of how he was elected into the Senate at 23, and how, in the 6 years since then, he continues to use his unique lens as a disabled politician to advocate for the disabled community in a way Australia hasn't seen before. Jordon's office has a strong current focus on ADHD reform and this year prompted a radical community-led national inquiry into ADHD, medicare and support services.
Joana Partyka also joins me on this weeks conversation. Joana is Jordon's Communications Advisor, a woman with a lived experience of ADHD, and is working closely with Jordon & his team on their current ADHD campaign in Australia.
Jordon, Joana & I talk about:
- why the Greens party and Jordon's office in particular has a current focus on ADHD and easier access to support & medication
- how to make a submission to the ADHD inquiry (closes June 9th 2023 - links below)
- how important it is to centre the lived experience of ADHDers when creating change movements and policy change at a governmental level
- how Jordon has helped to create an inclusive and supportive environment in his office for disabled people, and in particular people with ADHD
HELPFUL LINKS:
Submission: https://greens.org.au/campaign/adhd/make-a-submission
Submission template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hn4NWV3Hfag_uT1FI9ypTQRDAGlDOV2GGglIZn-x3xs/edit

May 4, 2023 • 36min
How to talk to ADHD kids about worry, anxiety & rumination
If you have a child or student with ADHD (diagnosed or suspected) who experiences worry or rumination regularly, this episode is for you! And if you're NOT a caregiver, parent or teacher, many of the tools I share about understanding our brains can still apply to adults, especially if we're trying to dismantle a lifetime of negative messages and begin healing our inner child.
In this episode I talk about:
my personal journey as a parent navigating worry with my 7yo son
why kids with ADHD are more prone to worry, anxiety & rumination
the effect of gaslighting: why telling them 'there's nothing to worry about' doesn't help
how we can empower our kids through self-understanding and simple & fun metacognitive tools that will help them feel less helpless and more in control
how I talk to my kid about worry (including examples)
understanding worry as one part of many parts that make up who we are
activating curiosity (a fantastic 'hack' for ADHD interest-based brains) to stop misplaced fear in its tracks
the neurology of the limbic system, amygdala and its adaptive evolutionary advantage for human species
how to make talking about anxiety hilarious and interesting for kids, to keep them engaged and in the driver's seat
repetition of these tools to embed new beliefs and self-identity in neural pathways
and more!
Resources/books mentioned:
No Bad Parts, by Richard Schwartz
Internal Family Systems Therapy with Children, by Lisa Spiegel
Inside Out, a children's animated film by Pixar
Hey Warrior (a picture book on Worry for kids) by Karen Young
DISCLAIMER: This episode is general information and not intended as therapy or advice for your specific situation. Please seek your own medical advice about mental health matters that concern you or your children.
Join 30K neurodivergents who use our evidence-based ADHD Planners: https://futureadhd.com/
Follow on IG - @future.adhd @adhd.nervous.system
Follow on TikTok - future.adhd

Apr 26, 2023 • 54min
Nervous system burnout & what to do when rest feels impossible [20 min visualization incl.]
If you're in a current state of nervous system overwhelm, feeling regularly anxious or chronically stressed, and have no idea how to even BEGIN to rest again, then this episode is for you.
In this episode I talk about:
how external environmental stressors can accrue and weigh on our nervous system
why these external stressors exacerbate our ADHD 'symptoms' and challenges
what to do when you're so chronically stressed you get stuck in fight or flight 'sympathetic' mode, and are completely overwhelmed
my honest story the past 4 weeks dealing with overstimulation, school holiday chaos and overwhelm
when all self care feels like an effort and why guided visualisations have been AMAZING for me
examples of life and relationships stressors on our nervous system
a checklist to assess nervous system burnout in our body
what happens when our nervous systems gets stuck in a fight or flight state
shame & guilt when we 'fail' at self care
sensory cocoons, creating a safe 'home' inside your body & how even a 1 minute break can help
a 20 min guided visualisation to invite deep rest and connection with your body
VISUALISATION:
20 min guided visualisation starts at 21:45. **WARNING: Do not listen while driving or operating heavy machinery.
LINKS:
futureadhd.com/deeprest
@adhd.nervous.system
@future.adhd
More self-care tools and workbooks at: futureadhd.com
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